Turntables, Arms & Cartridges

In practice, and despite the demand fuelled by the ongoing ‘vinyl revival’, there are precious few brands that have either the technology or economy of scale to fabricate an MM/MC mechanism from scratch. Ortofon and Audio-Technica are two well-known exceptions but one other – Skyanalog – has been servicing the OEM sector for a good portion of its quarter century in business. Based in China, and with founder Jack Leung still at the helm, Skyanalog officially ‘broke cover’ in 2019 with its first own-brand moving-coils and the not unreasonable boast of ‘possibly the most successful cartridge manufacturer you’ve never heard of’. We have now, of course [HFN Sep ’24 & Mar ’25]!

Skyanalog’s MC generator is recognisable by the gold-anodised pole pieces and high-purity square iron former, overwound with fine copper wire, for the ‘moving coils’ [see picture above]. The different grades of mechanism are distinguished by choice of cantilever material (alloy, boron or sapphire) and stylus profile (conical through to a fine line ‘micro-ridge’ type) while different polymer dampers set the MC’s compliance. In this Kensington Audio range the coils and magnet yoke are left exposed but in Skyanalog’s own carts they are screened from dust, and more, behind a plastic film. Coincidentally, Skyanalog’s UK importer, Sound Design Distribution, also brings in the Takumi turntable and cartridges, the latter (you guessed it) made by Skyanalog. PM